About Miguel Calo

Miguel Caló was an important bandleader, composer, and bandoneon master, and one of the great tango innovators of the 20th century. Revered in his home country of Argentina, his influence has spread globally during the 21st century.

After conducting the bands of Osvaldo Fresedo and Francisco Pracánico, in 1929 he formed his first of several orchestras, which featured prominent future bandleaders and soloists including Miguel Nijensohn, Carlos Dante, Argentino Galvan, Raul Beron, Domingo Federico, Eduardo Rovira, Antonio Rodio, Hugo Baralis, and Alberto Podesta. His greatest influence, however, came during the tango revolution of the 1940s -- he was among the most sought-after arrangers, bandleaders, and performers of the decade.

While he is primarily remembered as a bandleader, Caló composed numerous tangos, both instrumental and vocal. Some, including "Milonga Porteña," "Todo Es Mentira," "Ternuras," "Cobrate y Dame el Vuelto," "Qué Te Importa que Llore," and "Dos Fracasos," are considered immortal classics. In 2016, nearly 45 years after his death, the compilation Siguen Los Exitos de La Orquesta de Miguel Calo placed in the Top Ten in the Latin Pop Albums, number 48 at Top Latin Albums, and 25 on the Jazz Albums charts. ~ Thom Jurek